Multiple use of preservative-free single dose unit dexamethasone 0.1% eye drops is safe within 24 hours.

Background: Unpreserved single-dose unit (SDU) eye drops are commonly used to avoid benzalkonium chloride-related toxicity. Although intended for single use, many patients report off-label repeated use of SDUs over a prolonged period. We investigated whether repeated use of dexamethasone 0.

Deep Learning Models Used in the Diagnostic Workup of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Exploratory Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: The prevalence of keratoconus in the general population is reported to be up to 1 of 84. Over the past 2 decades, diagnosis and management evolved rapidly, but keratoconus screening in clinical practice is still challenging and asks for improving the accuracy of keratoconus detection. Deep learning (DL) offers considerable promise for improving the accuracy and speed of medical imaging interpretation.

A fluorophotometric comparison of anterior chamber riboflavin delivery via corneal application and fornix instillation.

Introduction And Objectives: We investigated whether riboflavin self-administration by patients could be a feasible option for corneal cross-linking, given the considerable resources required to impregnate the cornea with riboflavin. We analysed whether administering riboflavin in the inferior fornix (the site of self-administration) results in non-inferior riboflavin concentrations as when applied directly on the cornea (the site of administration by medical personnel).

Patients And Methods: We conducted a prospective study to evaluate riboflavin concentrations at six time-points (baseline, 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60min) in 18 healthy volunteers for each of two application sites: cornea and fornix.

Differences in minimal disease knowledge of keratoconus patients: results from an international survey.

Background/aims: The objective of this multicentre, multinational, prospective study was to assess the level of basic understanding that individuals with keratoconus possessed about their condition.

Methods: We recruited 200 active keratoconus patients who were under regular review, and cornea specialists established a standard of 'minimal keratoconus knowledge' (MKK) that included an understanding of the definition, risk factors, symptoms and treatment options for the condition. We collected data from each participant regarding their clinical characteristics, highest level of education, (para)medical background and experiences with keratoconus within their social circle, and calculated the percentage of MKK attained by each patient.

A Clinical Decision Tree to Support Keratoconus Patients Considering Corneal Cross-Linking Combined with Refractive Treatment.

Background: To develop a fast and frugal decision tree to identify keratoconus patients most likely to benefit visually from the combination of corneal cross-linking (CXL) with topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy ("CXL plus").

Patients And Methods: The outcome of interest was an improvement in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) by at least two lines at the 12-month follow-up. Preoperative and 12-month follow-up data from patients who received CXL plus (n = 96) and CXL only (n = 96) were used in a recursive partitioning approach to construct a frugal tree with three variables (corneal thickness [>/< 430 um], patient interest in CXL plus [yes/no], and tomographic cylinder [ 3 D]).

The effect of a video tutorial to improve patients' keratoconus knowledge - a randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis of published reports.

Objective: To investigate whether a video tutorial, highlighting important aspects of keratoconus provided prior to a scheduled follow-up consultation, has a specific effect on patients' knowledge after the consultation.

Methods And Analysis: Single center, randomized controlled trial registered on ISRCTN registry (number ISCTN75317089, https://doi.org/10.

Accuracy of a New Noninvasive Automatic Ocular Surface Analyzer for the Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease-Two-Gate Design Using Healthy Controls.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of measurements from a new noninvasive, automated ocular surface analyzer (IDRA) in the diagnosis of dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: We prospectively identified patients with and without DED using best practice methods. Subsequently, all participants underwent IDRA analysis, consisting of 5 components: noninvasive tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, lipid layer interferometry, eye blink quality, and infrared meibography.

Effect of Protective Measures on the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Eye Clinic Staff Members.

Background: Switzerland was strongly affected by the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that resulted in a nationwide lockdown in March 2020. Ophthalmologists were at most risk of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their close working distance from patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the overall effectiveness of protective measures on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among employees in a large public eye hospital.

VEGF-A in Serum and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) Eye Drops.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, the most abundant subtype of the VEGF family in the eye, plays an important role in corneal homeostasis due to its ability to mediate corneal nerve repair. Repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were shown to significantly reduce corneal nerve density, which might negatively affect corneal homeostasis and lead to a neuropathic dry eye disease. Currently, there are two effective modalities to treat dry eye while supplying VEGF to the ocular surface: serum eye drops (SED) and eye drops manufactured from plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF).

Ten-Year Outcome of Topography-Guided Transepithelial Surface Ablation for Refractive Myopia Treatment.

Background: To evaluate 10-year long-term refractive visual stability and participants' satisfaction in the refractive treatment of myopic eyes undergoing topography-guided transepithelial surface ablation using a 1KHz excimer laser.

Patients And Methods: This single-center prospective survey assessed participants' satisfaction 10 years after the treatment using a non-validated questionnaire with regards to visual outcome, dry eye, and visual disturbance symptoms. Pre- and postoperative visual and refractive data were evaluated.

Distribution of preoperative angle alpha and angle kappa values in patients undergoing multifocal refractive lens surgery based on a positive contact lens test.

Purpose: To assess the preoperative objective angle alpha and angle kappa measurements of patients deciding to undergo multifocal refractive lens surgery based on a subjective positive multifocal contact lens test (MCLT).

Methods: Retrospective, consecutive case series. Alpha and kappa angles were measured using the iTrace aberrometer.

Agreement of intraocular lens power calculation between 2 SS-OCT-based biometers.

Purpose: To assess agreement of measurements by 2 swept-source optical coherence tomography biometers and to evaluate the prediction error (PE) in intraocular lens power calculation with 7 formulas.

Setting: Tertiary public eye hospital.

Design: Consecutive observational.

Multifocal Femto-PresbyLASIK in Pseudophakic Eyes.

Background: Presbyopia treatment in pseudophakic patients with a monofocal IOL is challenging. This study investigates the refractive results of femto-PresbyLASIK and analyzes presbyopia treatment in pseudophakic eyes.

Methods: 14 patients with 28 pseudophakic eyes were treated with femto-PresbyLASIK.

Mismatch of corneal specialists' expectations and keratoconus knowledge in general ophthalmologists - a prospective observational study in Switzerland.

Background: To assess whether Swiss general ophthalmologists have the minimal keratoconus knowledge that corneal specialists would expect them to have.

Methods: Corneal specialists defined "minimal keratoconus knowledge" (MKK) with respect to definition, risk factors, symptoms and possible treatment options of keratoconus. A telephone interview survey was conducted among one hundred ophthalmologists (mean age 51.

The Lucerne Protocol for the Production of Autologous Serum Eyedrops.

Background: There are a variety of protocols for manufacturing autologous serum (AS) eye drops. The Lucerne protocol for the production of AS eye drops uses a slightly reduced gravitational (g)-force and time for the centrifugation process (2500 × g for 10 minutes), compared to previously published optimised protocols, to obtain high levels of epitheliotropic growth factors (3000 × g for 15 minutes). The goal of this study was to compare the concentrations of growth factors, albumin and lysozyme in autologous serum eye drops manufactured with these protocols.

Don't be afraid of the dark - OCT angiography through a black intraocular lens.

Purpose: To report a case in which optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) allowed imaging of the posterior pole in a patient fitted with a black occlusive intraocular lens (IOL).

Observations: Following retinal central artery occlusion, a 52-year-old patient suffered from disturbing residual light perception. Occlusive contact lenses blocked the light insufficiently, so that the patient had to rely on an eye patch for relief of symptoms.

Do Patients With Keratoconus Have Minimal Disease Knowledge?

Purpose: To assess whether Swiss adult citizens diagnosed with keratoconus have the minimal knowledge that a corneal specialist would expect they should have.

Methods: Experts defined the "minimal keratoconus knowledge" (MKK) with respect to definition, risk factors, symptoms, and possible treatment options of keratoconus. A survey was performed in 167 patients with keratoconus [mean age 38.

Changes in higher order aberrations after central corneal regularization - a comparative two-year analysis of a semi-automated topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy combined with corneal cross-linking.

Background: The optical quality in progressive keratoconus deteriorates due to ectasia and distortion of the corneal shape and optics. While corneal cross-linking (CXL) aims at stopping disease progression, "CXL-Plus" combines CXL with excimer laser ablation to improve visual function. Central Corneal Regularization (CCR) represents a therapeutic excimer laser modality specifically designed to smoothen the ectatic corneal shape and to reduce higher order aberrations (HOA).

Keratoconus Characteristics Used in Randomized Trials of Surgical Interventions-A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To investigate descriptions and inclusion criteria of keratoconus used in randomized trials assessing the efficacy of surgical and nonsurgical interventions.

Methods: Systematic review: we searched (Pre-)Medline and the Cochrane Library from inception until December 2018 and checked the reference lists of included articles and reviews. We included randomized trials assessing the efficacy of any kind of keratoconus treatment.

Fluorophotometric Determination of Riboflavin Concentrations in a Human Artificial Anterior Chamber Model.

Purpose: Corneal cross-linking (CXL) requires an adequate corneal riboflavin impregnation, which is clinically assessed by verification of a riboflavin "flare" in the anterior chamber. We set out to replace this subjective assessment with an objective measurement method and evaluated fluorophotometry as an apparatus-based technique for riboflavin detection in the anterior chamber.

Methods: In an artificial anterior chamber model using human corneas and a modified Fluorotron fluorophotometer, we determined the detection limits of riboflavin concentrations across native corneas by comparison measurements of the same concentrations in glass cuvettes.

Corneal Endothelial Decompensation after Ocular Chemical Burn: Description of a New Finding.

Background: Ocular chemical burn is an ophthalmological emergency. Therefore, chemical injuries should be promptly addressed in order to initiate the appropriate treatment as soon as possible and optimize the visual prognosis. We present a retrospective study of ten cases with ocular chemical burn including one with superglue and one with a liquid plaster material injury and describe their clinical course.